What do you think?
Rate this book
Sexy Men...Sassy Women #1
The Betrayal
Welcome to Sexy Men…Sassy Women
A bestselling author, a medevac pilot, a hotshot lawyer, a bodyguard, a football coach and a children’s book author…all sexy, sensitive men who can be stubborn and infuriating.
A reclusive artist, a CEO, a family court judge, a businesswoman, a college professor and a celebrity food channel host… all successful, smart and sassy women who try to tame the men they love.
In book one, THE BETRAYAL, Darcy Weston flees to her grandparents’ abandoned farm after her stepfather rapes her. There, she meets Jordan Mackenzie, a local boy, and the friendship of a lifetime begins. In subsequent years, the two young people try to stay in touch from their disparate worlds, but eventually they drift apart.
Flash forward twelve years. Jordan is an accomplished teacher and Darcy, an internationally famous, reclusive artist. They meet again when Jordan publishes a book that reveals secrets about Darcy's past. They are thrown together first over the scandal his book creates, then over a murder. Once again, they turn to each other for help and comfort as they deal with police investigations, a variety of suspects from each other's worlds, and a passion between them which won't be denied.
Praise for THE
"This is definitely a page turner (I stayed up way too late because I just couldn't put it down!!), and there's enough romance to keep your heart fluttering."
"It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a book as much as THE BETRAYAL. I've always been a huge Kathryn Shay fan mainly because her books are unique, meaningful and never trite. This one is no exception. If you enjoy good writing, love stories and suspense like I do, fire up your Kindle and start this book. You won't be disappointed."
"Kathryn Shay is no typical romance writer, but she sure does know how to paint a hot love scene with words!!"
Don’t miss all the books in the Sexy Men…Sassy Women series. While not connected by characters and plot, in all six books, you’ll find the men sexy and women sassy.
The Betrayal (Sexy Men…Sassy Women Book 1)
Stay With Me (Sexy Men…Sassy Women Book 2)
Ties that Bind (Sexy Men…Sassy Women Book 3)
The Bodyguard ((Sexy Men…Sassy Women Book 4)
Playing for Keeps (Sexy Men…Sassy Women Book 5)
Dancing in the Dark (Sexy Men…Sassy Women Book 6)
A bestselling author, a medevac pilot, a hotshot lawyer, a bodyguard, a football coach and a children’s book author…all sexy, sensitive men who can be stubborn and infuriating.
A reclusive artist, a CEO, a family court judge, a businesswoman, a college professor and a celebrity food channel host… all successful, smart and sassy women who try to tame the men they love.
In book one, THE BETRAYAL, Darcy Weston flees to her grandparents’ abandoned farm after her stepfather rapes her. There, she meets Jordan Mackenzie, a local boy, and the friendship of a lifetime begins. In subsequent years, the two young people try to stay in touch from their disparate worlds, but eventually they drift apart.
Flash forward twelve years. Jordan is an accomplished teacher and Darcy, an internationally famous, reclusive artist. They meet again when Jordan publishes a book that reveals secrets about Darcy's past. They are thrown together first over the scandal his book creates, then over a murder. Once again, they turn to each other for help and comfort as they deal with police investigations, a variety of suspects from each other's worlds, and a passion between them which won't be denied.
Praise for THE
"This is definitely a page turner (I stayed up way too late because I just couldn't put it down!!), and there's enough romance to keep your heart fluttering."
"It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a book as much as THE BETRAYAL. I've always been a huge Kathryn Shay fan mainly because her books are unique, meaningful and never trite. This one is no exception. If you enjoy good writing, love stories and suspense like I do, fire up your Kindle and start this book. You won't be disappointed."
"Kathryn Shay is no typical romance writer, but she sure does know how to paint a hot love scene with words!!"
Don’t miss all the books in the Sexy Men…Sassy Women series. While not connected by characters and plot, in all six books, you’ll find the men sexy and women sassy.
The Betrayal (Sexy Men…Sassy Women Book 1)
Stay With Me (Sexy Men…Sassy Women Book 2)
Ties that Bind (Sexy Men…Sassy Women Book 3)
The Bodyguard ((Sexy Men…Sassy Women Book 4)
Playing for Keeps (Sexy Men…Sassy Women Book 5)
Dancing in the Dark (Sexy Men…Sassy Women Book 6)
359 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 18, 2011
1174 people are currently reading
788 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Shay
174 books501 followersKathryn Shay is a lifelong writer. At fifteen, she penned her first 'romance,' a short story about a female newspaper reporter in New York City and her fight to make a name for herself in a world of male journalists - and with one hardheaded editor in particular. Looking back, Kathryn says she should have known then that writing was in her future. But as so often happens, fate sent her detouring down another path.
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
August 31, 2016
The title of this book was accurate beyond words. There was a list of betrayal from the first chapter till almost the end. Everyone having a hand in some sort of betrayal. A roller-coaster of love, hate, betrayal and murder all wrapped up in one book. I liked the story a great deal, I really enjoyed watching young Jordan and Darcy get acquainted. As the story progressed, you could almost feel the rage from the characters jumping off the page. I loved how Darcy's art portrayed her mood and how her and Jordan could work together in their own versions of a trance. I was pretty sure I knew who the ultimate betrayer was pretty early on, and I was right and disgusted by the finality of their "love". While I really did love the story with the main characters, I was put off by a ton of typos. It got to be really bad after a while. I also thought some of the story seemed a bit...choppy and didn't flow. There were some things left unanswered at the end of the book which also made the book lacking for me. All in all a good story, but not one of my favorites.
Read
August 4, 2025wow, this hero was just a dick
July 16, 2018
Darcy forced to run from home and fend for herself. Found a neighbor boy and his mother that helped her. Time and they drifted apart.till Jordan writes a book.in which he tells of Darcy past. She has lived a life of recluse, and became a famous artist. With money she open a refuge for others, naming the place for them that helped her when needed. The love is there between them, but the wall of being betrayed and not believed by her mother. Was walls that Jordan wanted to break. A good beginning of a new series for the author. The characters in this one was well portrayed.
July 23, 2018
Disappointing
Unfortunately this was a dud for me. The plot was predictable, the characters were unlikable and dull. What really ruined it though was the page after page of victim blaming, even from the so called hero of the story.
Unfortunately this was a dud for me. The plot was predictable, the characters were unlikable and dull. What really ruined it though was the page after page of victim blaming, even from the so called hero of the story.
July 24, 2018
This book starts out really good. We see the beginning relationship between Darcy and Jordan as kids. Jordan being the knight in shinning armour for Darcy who has run away due to some horrible events. Fast forward to adulthood and their paths cross again but not in a way you would expect. Just went when you think the book is headed in the predictable way it takes a left turn and goes from loving romance style to murder mystery. There are so many twists and turns you cant put the book down.
Read
July 24, 2018i will put it aside. too much triggers for me... sorry
December 26, 2022
Wow Rape Victims Beware! Trauma Takes Trust To Heal...Its A Thing. Narcissist Uses Her Cancer And How As An Adult, She Did The Minimum And Helped A Child, To Warp Victim Of Her Sons Mind.
To think a rape victim is forced by two people who have the support from each other, to have her boundaries decided, in public, for her.
He spends this whole book angry at her for having an emotional response to HIM using HER rape story to benefit him.
Stella is a Narcissist.
She did the bare minimum and helped a child.
And Jordan held that over her after abusing her story.
Gross violation of privacy of a victim.
The author literally says she loves Jordan's dedication "after she betrays him".
A rape victim, whose story he abused.
A rape victim.
A Rape Victim who, as Prime Suspdct for her Rapists murder, he Emotionally manipulates, using her traumatic past, to get her to protect them.
Jordan's devotion is weak.
Stella then helps by reminding her of his devotion.
Narcissistic Love Bombs.
A Rape Victim.
Wow.
Of Child Abuse.
They use her Child Abuse to profit.
Vile.
Hero and His Enabling Mother Get Away With It By Virtue Of Someone Else Being Worse.
Yay.
This hero is obsessed with her in his mind he is not dedicated to her at all. He sold her Child Abuse story and got angry when she tried to stop it.
Seriously.
That is a choice he would not allow her because his feelings got hurt.
He is not dedicated to anything but her representing him and his mothers own ego. As soon as she asserted what she wanted, her story not everywhere, he dedicated himself on out of there.
Patriarchial Parable of Abuse.
His entire story is him learning to forgive her for having Autonomy.
When he should have maybe worked on the fact he 1) decided her boundaries for her (abuse) 2) knew from the injunction that she didn't want her story out, far be it for a man to address her needs 3) went ahead and fought to tell HER story anyway 4) still felt she was indebted to him.
All of those things are symptomatic and he never addresses them.
Women are more likely to be forced into ignoring these things least the Social Stigma for having boundaries, sets in.
This is not a good representation of dedication.
Dedication comes without Bounty, its pure without Emotional demands.
None of his traumatic choices are addressed but hers are dragged the fuck out.
I mean, can't say its Misogyny but they're held to different standards, thats all I'm saying.
Remember, Dedication is to force your friend to let you make bank from her Child Abuse.
Wow.
Literally equating being used one time for sex, consensual sex, is the same as him exposing her Childhood Abuse.
Wow.
He is so self righteous and unlikeable.
Hes a Covert Narcissist
To think a rape victim is forced by two people who have the support from each other, to have her boundaries decided, in public, for her.
He spends this whole book angry at her for having an emotional response to HIM using HER rape story to benefit him.
Stella is a Narcissist.
She did the bare minimum and helped a child.
And Jordan held that over her after abusing her story.
Gross violation of privacy of a victim.
The author literally says she loves Jordan's dedication "after she betrays him".
A rape victim, whose story he abused.
A rape victim.
A Rape Victim who, as Prime Suspdct for her Rapists murder, he Emotionally manipulates, using her traumatic past, to get her to protect them.
Jordan's devotion is weak.
Stella then helps by reminding her of his devotion.
Narcissistic Love Bombs.
A Rape Victim.
Wow.
Of Child Abuse.
They use her Child Abuse to profit.
Vile.
Hero and His Enabling Mother Get Away With It By Virtue Of Someone Else Being Worse.
Yay.
This hero is obsessed with her in his mind he is not dedicated to her at all. He sold her Child Abuse story and got angry when she tried to stop it.
Seriously.
That is a choice he would not allow her because his feelings got hurt.
He is not dedicated to anything but her representing him and his mothers own ego. As soon as she asserted what she wanted, her story not everywhere, he dedicated himself on out of there.
Patriarchial Parable of Abuse.
His entire story is him learning to forgive her for having Autonomy.
When he should have maybe worked on the fact he 1) decided her boundaries for her (abuse) 2) knew from the injunction that she didn't want her story out, far be it for a man to address her needs 3) went ahead and fought to tell HER story anyway 4) still felt she was indebted to him.
All of those things are symptomatic and he never addresses them.
Women are more likely to be forced into ignoring these things least the Social Stigma for having boundaries, sets in.
This is not a good representation of dedication.
Dedication comes without Bounty, its pure without Emotional demands.
None of his traumatic choices are addressed but hers are dragged the fuck out.
I mean, can't say its Misogyny but they're held to different standards, thats all I'm saying.
Remember, Dedication is to force your friend to let you make bank from her Child Abuse.
Wow.
Literally equating being used one time for sex, consensual sex, is the same as him exposing her Childhood Abuse.
Wow.
He is so self righteous and unlikeable.
Hes a Covert Narcissist
July 29, 2018
Difficult to review!
Let me start off by saying this novel is well written so what is bothering me. The heroine Darcy annoyed the living daylights out of me in her adulthood. I found her character annoying, at times ugly and then there were those times she truly was a heroine! Jordan the hero,was extremely likable and carried this novel on his manly shoulders. There is suspense and mystery involved, personally I guessed the villain early on however I was not totally sure until the author let us in on the plot. You need to read this one for yourself and make up your own mind. 4 Stars from me!
Let me start off by saying this novel is well written so what is bothering me. The heroine Darcy annoyed the living daylights out of me in her adulthood. I found her character annoying, at times ugly and then there were those times she truly was a heroine! Jordan the hero,was extremely likable and carried this novel on his manly shoulders. There is suspense and mystery involved, personally I guessed the villain early on however I was not totally sure until the author let us in on the plot. You need to read this one for yourself and make up your own mind. 4 Stars from me!
March 26, 2022
Lots of Plot Twists ❤️📚🎨💙
There’s a lot going on in this book as Darcy and Jordan navigate a lot of turmoil and emotions in the 16 years covered by this story.
The book is ultimately about how to overcome betrayal. There’s a lot of that happening. Part of me wondered how you could do that to people you care about, I thought maybe they let it go too easily. In the end, things work out as they should, but it’s a journey to get to the HEA.
There’s a lot going on in this book as Darcy and Jordan navigate a lot of turmoil and emotions in the 16 years covered by this story.
The book is ultimately about how to overcome betrayal. There’s a lot of that happening. Part of me wondered how you could do that to people you care about, I thought maybe they let it go too easily. In the end, things work out as they should, but it’s a journey to get to the HEA.
September 23, 2018
What Would You Do?
I highly recommend Kathryn Shay. She always gives me a wonderful story with angst. A reclusive artist and an author who have a background story butt heads. Then come the death threats... a story woven so intricately that you won’t guess who done it. Find out when is a betrayal not a betrayal...
I highly recommend Kathryn Shay. She always gives me a wonderful story with angst. A reclusive artist and an author who have a background story butt heads. Then come the death threats... a story woven so intricately that you won’t guess who done it. Find out when is a betrayal not a betrayal...
July 23, 2018
This book was great. I got it for free from the author. I liked the reviews other people gave it, they were so right. I couldn't put it down. I had to know what was going to happen and couldn't even guess what was going to happen until the very end. Wow.
July 3, 2022
Romantic and then sexy and suspenseful
Jordan and Darcy first meet when he is 12 and she is a terrified 15 year old who has run away from her New York City home to the farmhouse in upstate New York that was left her by her grandparents. Her stepfather has raped her, her mother doesn't believe her, and she has nowhere to turn. Jordan is immediately smitten with the lovely, troubled girl, and he rides his bike out to see her every day. Together they explore her love for art and his for writing. Eventually his mother learns about Darcy and Darcy tells her everything that has happened to her. She tells Darcy that she will have to go home and Darcy reluctantly agrees after her mother shows up, having hired a PI to find her. But when her mother finds out why Darcy ran away, she actually believes her and kicks the stepdad to the curb. Jordan comes to visit Darcy in New York City but she is different...and she blows him off. He is heartbroken and returns home, determined to forget her.
Years later, Jordan, now a high school teacher, has written a novel, somewhat disguised, about a girl who runs away and the boy who finds her. He comes to New York to sell it, wanting to pay off the medical bills for his mother, who has survived cancer. His agent sees the connection between the girl in the book and reclusive artist D.J. West and pushes Jordan to promote the book's connection that way. Jordan reluctantly agrees only because he thinks the connection might help sell the book. It does pay off, not always in ways he'd hoped. From there things get all twisty-turny, but without revealing spoilers, I'll say no more.
I liked this book immensely, especially for the main characters. Jordan and Darcy are very well written. Some of the others are questionable. Lisa is particularly problematic, especially in her actions toward Captain Anderson. I would like to know what becomes of Tanya; maybe Ms. Shay will write about her in her own book. Tommy could also be better developed. But on the whole, two thumbs up and five stars.
Jordan and Darcy first meet when he is 12 and she is a terrified 15 year old who has run away from her New York City home to the farmhouse in upstate New York that was left her by her grandparents. Her stepfather has raped her, her mother doesn't believe her, and she has nowhere to turn. Jordan is immediately smitten with the lovely, troubled girl, and he rides his bike out to see her every day. Together they explore her love for art and his for writing. Eventually his mother learns about Darcy and Darcy tells her everything that has happened to her. She tells Darcy that she will have to go home and Darcy reluctantly agrees after her mother shows up, having hired a PI to find her. But when her mother finds out why Darcy ran away, she actually believes her and kicks the stepdad to the curb. Jordan comes to visit Darcy in New York City but she is different...and she blows him off. He is heartbroken and returns home, determined to forget her.
Years later, Jordan, now a high school teacher, has written a novel, somewhat disguised, about a girl who runs away and the boy who finds her. He comes to New York to sell it, wanting to pay off the medical bills for his mother, who has survived cancer. His agent sees the connection between the girl in the book and reclusive artist D.J. West and pushes Jordan to promote the book's connection that way. Jordan reluctantly agrees only because he thinks the connection might help sell the book. It does pay off, not always in ways he'd hoped. From there things get all twisty-turny, but without revealing spoilers, I'll say no more.
I liked this book immensely, especially for the main characters. Jordan and Darcy are very well written. Some of the others are questionable. Lisa is particularly problematic, especially in her actions toward Captain Anderson. I would like to know what becomes of Tanya; maybe Ms. Shay will write about her in her own book. Tommy could also be better developed. But on the whole, two thumbs up and five stars.
September 13, 2018
Darcy ran away after her stepfather raped her and her mother didn’t believe her. She goes to the farmhouse her grandparents left to her. She meets Jordan when he comes with his mom and aunt checking on the farmhouse. His aunt is certain that the young girl she met on the bus is in need of help. Jordan befriends her and keeps her secret until she gets hurt and he has to call in his mom. Eventually Darcy goes home to her mother. She then pushes Jordan away. Fast forward a few years and Stella, Jordan’s mom has cancer. He can’t afford the treatments so he goes out and sells his book. Only now Darcy gets thrown into the spotlight and she isn’t too happy about it. What they end up going through is quite the suspenseful tale. Certainly one of the better books I have had the pleasure of reading.
July 22, 2019
3.5 bumped to 4. I’ve read several books by this author and this was a departure from her usual storyline. I enjoyed it, but there were parts that seemed to drag a little. Darcy and Jordan met when they were fifteen and twelve respectively. For Darcy, the circumstances were just the first of many betrayals in her life. For Jordan, it was a series of trying to fix things for Darcy. There are lots of twists and turns to journey through while reading this one. I had my suspicions early on as to whodunit. I’m happy to say I was right, but not entirely. My suspect was the mastermind, but not the actual perpetrator. The complexity of the plot in The Betrayal is well done and the characters are interesting and intriguing.
April 20, 2022
I'd have given the book five stars if the author had left out some of the sexual scenes. They weren't needed to make the story authentic.
This starts out as the story of Darcy and Jordan; Darcy is 16 and Jordan is 12. Darcy has been raped by her stepfather and her mother refuses to believe her. Darcy had inherited her grandparents' farm that was her deceased dad's childhood home. She runs away and lives there for several weeks without being discovered by anyone but Jordan. From there the story takes many twists and turns. Fast forward several years to when Jordan is a schoolteacher and Darcy is a famous painter using a different name. Their paths cross and they have a love hate relationship. There's murder and threats on their lives.
This starts out as the story of Darcy and Jordan; Darcy is 16 and Jordan is 12. Darcy has been raped by her stepfather and her mother refuses to believe her. Darcy had inherited her grandparents' farm that was her deceased dad's childhood home. She runs away and lives there for several weeks without being discovered by anyone but Jordan. From there the story takes many twists and turns. Fast forward several years to when Jordan is a schoolteacher and Darcy is a famous painter using a different name. Their paths cross and they have a love hate relationship. There's murder and threats on their lives.
May 14, 2022
Amazing.
Wow!
What a ride!
You took something real as a theme and turned it into a page turner!
I was blown away by the emotions of Jordan and Darcy, even as teens, young teens. But the emotions and real life issues as adults were just as stunning.
It was an emotional rollercoaster I wouldn't have missed for anything!
The secondary characters, regardless of their position in the story were just as compelling, some like watching a train wreck you knew was to happen eventually.
Twisted, thriller-like, spanning years between these to young people, but what a ride!
An amazingly emotional, absolutely wonderful novel!
It is one you must read to feel the intensity!
Unparalleled!
Loved!
Karen
Wow!
What a ride!
You took something real as a theme and turned it into a page turner!
I was blown away by the emotions of Jordan and Darcy, even as teens, young teens. But the emotions and real life issues as adults were just as stunning.
It was an emotional rollercoaster I wouldn't have missed for anything!
The secondary characters, regardless of their position in the story were just as compelling, some like watching a train wreck you knew was to happen eventually.
Twisted, thriller-like, spanning years between these to young people, but what a ride!
An amazingly emotional, absolutely wonderful novel!
It is one you must read to feel the intensity!
Unparalleled!
Loved!
Karen
March 29, 2022
Wow! The Betrayal - Amazing
I loved reading about Jordan and Darcy. Throughout the beginning, I wondered where/when the betrayal would occur. I knew from the blurb that it was Jordan’s book. When the plot “thickened” I thought I knew “who done it” then I didn’t then I thought I did again. But it wasn’t until the very end that it was all wrapped up that the reader knows for sure. At least it was that way for me.
Kathryn Shay was always a favored author and this is one of the best.
If you like a love story with a bit of mystery and thriller, I recommend reading The Betrayal.
I loved reading about Jordan and Darcy. Throughout the beginning, I wondered where/when the betrayal would occur. I knew from the blurb that it was Jordan’s book. When the plot “thickened” I thought I knew “who done it” then I didn’t then I thought I did again. But it wasn’t until the very end that it was all wrapped up that the reader knows for sure. At least it was that way for me.
Kathryn Shay was always a favored author and this is one of the best.
If you like a love story with a bit of mystery and thriller, I recommend reading The Betrayal.
May 26, 2023
The Betrayal
If you love mystery then this book is one to read. This story has so many twist and turns in it. Reading this book kept me involved to the very end. I don't read many books like this so was surprised at every turn in the story something was happening. The H wrote a book about a friend who he had met when young. Her life and why she became a runaway. Though he hid her identity it still came out. He only did this for money to help his mom. Won't get into this thread much. But when people started being beaten up and killed . Who is doing it and why is the bonus of the story.
If you love mystery then this book is one to read. This story has so many twist and turns in it. Reading this book kept me involved to the very end. I don't read many books like this so was surprised at every turn in the story something was happening. The H wrote a book about a friend who he had met when young. Her life and why she became a runaway. Though he hid her identity it still came out. He only did this for money to help his mom. Won't get into this thread much. But when people started being beaten up and killed . Who is doing it and why is the bonus of the story.
August 11, 2025
The plot of this book seemed very unique.
It wasn't dual timeline, but it started when the main characters were in high school and followed them to adulthood.
The plot twists, especially near the end, were fantastic.
The characters were well-developed and felt real most of the time, however, they often reacted in ways that didn't seem to match their emotions or circumstances. To the point I knocked a star off for it.
The betrayals they both committed were deep and painful, but if clothes came off all was forgiven. It seemed cheap.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it if people don't mind cussing and open door. (I typically don't; it was the plot that drew me in.)
It wasn't dual timeline, but it started when the main characters were in high school and followed them to adulthood.
The plot twists, especially near the end, were fantastic.
The characters were well-developed and felt real most of the time, however, they often reacted in ways that didn't seem to match their emotions or circumstances. To the point I knocked a star off for it.
The betrayals they both committed were deep and painful, but if clothes came off all was forgiven. It seemed cheap.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it if people don't mind cussing and open door. (I typically don't; it was the plot that drew me in.)
October 2, 2018
Definitely suspenseful with lots of twists and turns. A little confusing at times. A depth to the characters. Jordan and Darcy become friends when she's a runaway and their love and friendship for each other grows until they go their own waves. From teens to adults so much happens to them and others around them until there are a series of betrayals. Will they get back to being friends if nothing else?
Nice closure but would have loved it to go a little further. Happily ever after in the offing.
Nice closure but would have loved it to go a little further. Happily ever after in the offing.
July 27, 2018
This is a book about two young kids a boy and a girl who meet under extreme circumstances. The girl Darce is assaulted by her step father and she runs away. Jonathon befriends her and helps to keep her secret. It is the story that develops over many years of friendship, trust and also betrayal. While I love everything so far that Kathryn Shay has written that I have read this is not one that falls in that category. The characters are a little over the top to be believable.
August 2, 2018
Such a great story of fear, friendship, and love. What started out as a terrible tragedy for Darcy ending up being what brought true love to her. A scared and hurt teen, turned into an adult that was stuck in a routine and didnt want people to know who she was. Jordan has always loved her and tried to help her...he may have betrayed her but his betrayal saved his mamas life and also brought them back together.
April 27, 2019
Enjoyable
Full of drama, intrigue, suspense, romance, heartache, deceit, murder, attempted murder, and a second chance to find their HEA, if possible. After all that’s happened between the two of them, can Darcy and Jordan find their way back to each other? There is sex and bad language, but the storyline is good. There are several errors that better proofreading should have caught.
Full of drama, intrigue, suspense, romance, heartache, deceit, murder, attempted murder, and a second chance to find their HEA, if possible. After all that’s happened between the two of them, can Darcy and Jordan find their way back to each other? There is sex and bad language, but the storyline is good. There are several errors that better proofreading should have caught.
September 29, 2019
Another good read
Kathryn Shay does it again. Another emotional story with a mystery twist that will keep you turning pages till the very end. Ms Shays firefighter series are good stories. Every one of her stand alone books are terrific. With this one you’ll root for Darcy and Jordan and stress right with them as they make their way through this mystery. Another good one Ms Shay!
Kathryn Shay does it again. Another emotional story with a mystery twist that will keep you turning pages till the very end. Ms Shays firefighter series are good stories. Every one of her stand alone books are terrific. With this one you’ll root for Darcy and Jordan and stress right with them as they make their way through this mystery. Another good one Ms Shay!
April 1, 2022
Gripping Mystery
Awesome author. It's generally easy to determine the killer in any mystery but MS Shay did a spectacular job keeping me confused! Yes, the killer was a suspect in my mind but then the author flipped the script and confused me again. I am now a huge fan of Kathryn Shay. The characters were fully developed, the storyline gripping, the ending a surprise. You will not be disappointed.
Awesome author. It's generally easy to determine the killer in any mystery but MS Shay did a spectacular job keeping me confused! Yes, the killer was a suspect in my mind but then the author flipped the script and confused me again. I am now a huge fan of Kathryn Shay. The characters were fully developed, the storyline gripping, the ending a surprise. You will not be disappointed.
August 3, 2018
Another great book
Enjoyed Jordan and Darcy. The main character terms. A romance that starts in their youth, when neither can comprehend the attraction. Watching them grow, and the romance/friendship evolve, dissolve, and grow again was suspenseful and intriguing. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Enjoyed Jordan and Darcy. The main character terms. A romance that starts in their youth, when neither can comprehend the attraction. Watching them grow, and the romance/friendship evolve, dissolve, and grow again was suspenseful and intriguing. Thoroughly enjoyed.
August 22, 2018
Surprised me
I'm not really one to read romance novels. I'm also not very romantic in my marriage, which, I think, might be what my husband needs from me. So, I decided to read a few to see if I could learn something. This book didn't teach me anything, really, but it's also an excellent thriller with romance thrown in. I will probably read more of this author in the future.
I'm not really one to read romance novels. I'm also not very romantic in my marriage, which, I think, might be what my husband needs from me. So, I decided to read a few to see if I could learn something. This book didn't teach me anything, really, but it's also an excellent thriller with romance thrown in. I will probably read more of this author in the future.
February 20, 2021
The Betrayal
This is such a great writer and author!! This book only got better from the first page!!! Loved the characters and how the storyline started when teenagers and continued until they were older!!! Lots of water under the bridge but totally spellbound and didn’t like putting the book down late at night to sleep!!! I will definitely read more from this author!!!
This is such a great writer and author!! This book only got better from the first page!!! Loved the characters and how the storyline started when teenagers and continued until they were older!!! Lots of water under the bridge but totally spellbound and didn’t like putting the book down late at night to sleep!!! I will definitely read more from this author!!!
March 24, 2022
Captivating story
I was caught up in this story, compelled to keep reading to see what happened next. A lit of twists and turns, frustration at how long it was taking Jordan and Darcey to get it together and stop hurting each other, glad to have the mystery solved and get to the happy ending.
I was caught up in this story, compelled to keep reading to see what happened next. A lit of twists and turns, frustration at how long it was taking Jordan and Darcey to get it together and stop hurting each other, glad to have the mystery solved and get to the happy ending.
March 24, 2022
Never read this author before
The 1st book of this series was free. So, I figured I would give it a shot! Well written with great characters! There were plenty of twists, I thought I had figured it out. And I did just not until I changed my mind a bunch of times! Fun read. Wish the author was on Kindle Unlimited
The 1st book of this series was free. So, I figured I would give it a shot! Well written with great characters! There were plenty of twists, I thought I had figured it out. And I did just not until I changed my mind a bunch of times! Fun read. Wish the author was on Kindle Unlimited
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews